Vehicle lighting assembly

• US 10,420,189 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2016
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Rogers, Jason C., Danowski, Christopher Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Thai
• Application Number:
  US15/152,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20170332458A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/04 the devices being headlights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/16 Light sources where the light is generated by photoluminescent material spaced from a primary light generating element
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/195 Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a panel having a light-producing assembly including a plurality of light sources arranged therein and attached to the panel. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the light-producing assembly and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources. A vehicle sensor is configured to initiate an illumination sequence of the plurality of light sources based on a change in vehicular movement. A controller for illuminates the plurality of light sources based on predefined events when an electronic device is disposed proximately to the vehicle and is in communication with the controller.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a panel having a plurality of light sources arranged thereon;

a first vehicle sensor configured to initiate an illumination sequence as the vehicle approaches a predefined location as determined by a navigation device; and

a controller configured to illuminate the plurality of light sources when an electronic device is detected by a transceiver, wherein the electronic device is proximate said vehicle and characteristic information about the electronic device has not been previously stored in a memory of the transceiver, and further wherein the controller illuminates the plurality of light sources by sending control signals to adjust an intensity or energy output level of the plurality of light sources by a light control routine in response to detection of the electronic device by the transceiver.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a second vehicle sensor which is a seat sensor that communicates with the controller such that the plurality of light sources automatically illuminate when a vehicle engine is running and a seat monitored by the seat sensor is unoccupied.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the panel includes a door and the plurality of light sources extend from a vehicle forward portion to a vehicle rearward portion of the door.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a photoluminescent structure including at least one photoluminescent material therein configured to convert an excitation light received from the plurality of light sources into a visible converted light, the photoluminescent structure disposed between the plurality of light sources and a decorative layer.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a decorative layer disposed above the photoluminescent structure and having opaque portions that are backlit to confer messages to an approaching vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources is configured to illuminate in a plurality of colors based on a speed of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources extends along a side portion of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources is disposed on a rear door of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

an exterior body panel having a first plurality of light sources extending along an exterior surface thereof and a door having a second plurality of light sources extending along an exterior surface of the door from a first end to a second end portion thereof, the first and second plurality of light sources vertically aligned and oriented in a substantially constant direction;

a sensor; and

a controller configured to activate the plurality of light sources based on a location of an electronic device within or outside of said vehicle, wherein a transceiver communicates with the electronic device to determine the location of the electronic device.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the controller includes one or more wireless communication transceivers for detecting the electronic device in the possession of an occupant and determining the location of the electronic device.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the wireless communication transceiver is configured to directly communicate with the lighting assembly and the electronic device, the wireless communication transceiver disposed within the light assembly and disposed on an exterior portion of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the light sources illuminate in a first color when the electronic device is removed from the vehicle at a proper location and in a second color when the electronic device is removed from the vehicle at an improper location.

13. A vehicle, comprising:

a rear panel facing in a vehicle rearward direction and having a first plurality of light sources extending along an exterior surface thereof and a rear door having a second plurality of light sources extending along an exterior surface thereof, the first and second plurality of light sources vertically aligned with the door in a closed position;

a photoluminescent structure disposed on the light source and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source;

a vehicle sensor disposed on the vehicle, wherein the vehicle sensor includes a positional device; and

a controller configured to initiate an illumination sequence of the light source based on said vehicle approaching a predefined locational destination as sensed by the positional device.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the photoluminescent structure luminesces in the white color spectrum while the vehicle is in motion.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the light source includes LED sources dispersed in a printed LED arrangement that are each configured to emit an excitation light.

16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the vehicle sensor is a positional device that communicates with the controller such that the light source automatically illuminates when a vehicle approaches a predefined location.

17. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the photoluminescent structure comprises at least one photoluminescent material configured to perform an energy conversion on an excitation light received from at least a portion of the light source into a visible, converted light that is outputted to a viewable portion.

18. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the vehicle sensor is a steering angle sensor that communicates with the controller such that the light source automatically illuminates when a vehicle engine is running and a steering wheel is rotated beyond a predefined magnitude.

19. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the vehicle sensor is a speed sensor that communicates with the controller such that the light source sequentially illuminates a plurality of arrows of a rear portion of the vehicle when a vehicle speed drops below a predefined rate.